Wellington, March 18 NZPA - A month ago they were breathing in the rarefied air associated with a position on the upper reaches of rugby's Super 14 ladder.

Now the Hurricanes appear in danger of wheezing at altitude on South Africa's high veld.

Wellington, March 18 NZPA - Colin Slade gets his first start for the Crusaders in his preferred first five-eighth position, replacing All Black Dan Carter for the sixth round Super 14 rugby clash against the struggling Lions in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.

Johannesburg, March 16 NZPA -- Hurricanes midfield back Ma'a Nonu was last night cleared of making a reckless tackle in the 37-13 Super 14 loss to the Stormers at Cape Town.

Nonu was cited for a tackle on Stormers first-five eighth Peter Granton Sunday morning (NZT).

Auckland, March 10 NZPA - All Blacks rugby forward Sione Lauaki was today charged with assault over an incident in a Hamilton bar last week.

Lauaki, 28, is due to appear in Hamilton District Court on March 23.

More aircraft, more flights, new lounges and new recruits - these are just some of the developments that Emirates, the international airline of the UAE, will share with the world's largest travel trade show this week in Berlin.

Wellington, March 5 NZPA - All Blacks forward Sione Lauaki has been involved in an off-field incident this morning which is being investigated by the Chiefs Super 14 rugby franchise and police.

Auckland, March 3 NZPA - Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu returns from injury as one of two changes in the Chiefs' Super 14 rugby side named today to face the Reds in Hamilton on Friday night after.

With 100 days to go until the whistle blows for the opening match of the football's premier tournament, Emirates' FIFA World Cup 2010' Travel Packages have never been more accessible for New Zealanders.

Wellington, Feb 28 NZPA - Factbox after New Zealand's Brendon McCullum scored 116 not out against Australia in today's Twenty20 cricket international in Christchurch:-

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL INNINGS IN TWENTY20 INTERNATIONAL CRICKET:-

Wellington, Feb 28 NZPA - New Zealand opener Brendon McCullum posted the second-highest Twenty20 international cricket innings as the hosts racked up 214 for six batting first against Australia in Christchurch tonight.